Justin Duchscherer Re-Signs with A's; It's a Festivus Miracle!
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 24, 2009 10:43 AM PST
590 comments
It appears that Justin Duchscherer has re-signed with the A's, with a deal that can reach up to $5.5 million with incentives. I've always loved Duke, from the time he was one of the most dominant set-up men in baseball to his incredible job as the ace of the A's staff. Duchscherer is going to be a great fit with the A's young staff. The A's rotation of Duchscherer, Dallas Braden, Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez or Vin Mazzaro becomes pretty damn formidable.
But more than all that, I'm hoping that Duke has recovered with his anxiety and depression. I met Duke at spring training a few years ago and he remains the best player interview I've ever done. His answers were thoughtful, insightful and he was just one of the most cerebral athletes I'd ever met. He was a class act. Not to mention that watching Duke pitch has always been like watching an artist paint.
We shall see how missing an entire season affects someone who makes a living on being as precise as possible. It's just great to see someone like Duke return to the place where he truly belongs, even if it's only for one more season. Above all that, Nico gets the Christmas wish he was truly hoping for. Bet on green and gold at the Casino this weekend, Nico!
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LOVE
This makes up for the BLAH-ness of the coco deal.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
I'm glad to see Duke stay
Or is it more accurate to say that he’s coming back, ’cause he left.
But he didn’t go anywhere.
Anyways… I wonder who gets the Opening Day nod, him or Braden?
The monster at the end of this blog.
I would think that if Duke has a good spring it has to be Duke
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 24, 2009 10:49 AM PST up reply actions
I don't know
Braden had the honor last year and he led the staff before he got hurt. It probably doesn’t matter much but there’s some symbolism at play here. Duke is back and that’s a great thing but he didn’t play last year and he’s essentially a mercenary who’ll leave in a year. Is it a slap to the face of the guy the A’s leaned on last year to give the Opening Day starter tag to someone who hasn’t pitched in a year and a half?
I’m probably over-thinking this.
I’m glad Duke is back and I’m sure this can be handled without bruising any egos.
The monster at the end of this blog.
Agree
Braden is my guy. Another thing is that it lets them set up Braden-Duke-Anderson-Cahill for a little L/R/L/R
Well, if the #5 starter is Gio,
then they’ll have 3 lefties anyway, meaning there will be two in a row at some point in the rotation, negating the need to split them up. I personally like a rotation of Duke-Braden-Anderson-Cahill-Gio, if those are the five guys, because I think Duke is probably the best pitcher right now.
"To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to. If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying" - Ichiro
by Philip Christy on Dec 24, 2009 1:30 PM PST up reply actions
Braden, Anderson, Duke, Cahill, 5th guy
I don’t like Duke first, because he doesn’t need the added pressure of being the “#1 Starter.” Anyone who recently overcame any kind of depression or anxiety disorder shouldn’t be put in a position to immediately fail at something, and being the “#1 Starter” always has that false sense of responsibility attached to it. Maybe I’m being overly cautious, but whatever. Better safe than sorry, various other cliches, etc.
Braden pitched well last year, let him have opening day.
I like Anderson 2nd so he understands how important he is this year. He needs to pitch like a #2 starter if we’re going to accomplish anything.
Duke 3rd, so he understands we still have faith in his ability and he’s not fighting for a rotation spot, but we’re not putting too much pressure on him to be “the guy.”
Cahill 4th, pretty much by default.
For the 5th spot, I like Mazzaro and Gio battling it out in the spring, with Outman coming back at some point during the year.
7 quality arms is a nice problem to have.
Billy Beane once built a roster out of nothing more than fig leaves and a potato.
Braden first because not only did he "lead the staff" well last year,
but he’s part of the future more than Duke presumably will be, so give him the honor and ask him to be the “next veteran” to step up. No need to rush Anderson into a pressure role when you have Braden and Duke:
Braden, Duke, Anderson, followed by the next two best starters as of March 31st.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I think
we might both be overstating the pressure that is normally on the #2 starter, actually.
I just think a fully healthy Anderson with some momentum from last year might be the 2nd best pitcher on the staff, at least for the first few weeks, especially considering that Duke missed last year (regardless of the reasons he was out).
Billy Beane once built a roster out of nothing more than fig leaves and a potato.
I agree. But I'd also say Braden and Duke just make more sense,
and are more deserving at this point, so to the extent that one cares about the order (and I don’t and I think neither do the A’s — witness Cahill starting game #2 in 2009), I think Anderson #3 makes the most sense.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I can support that
I think the two of them being know as our “big two” does actually make more sense. So, if the “big two” MUST pitch back to back, I’ll change my vote for Duke as #2.
Billy Beane once built a roster out of nothing more than fig leaves and a potato.
I think you're overstating the "power" of the initial rotation anyways
Teams’ schedules are going to be misaligned, and therefore 1’s won’t be facing 1’s - so who cares after a few games what the initial rotation is. They all need to pitch well.
And even if they did stay aligned,
is it really obvious that you want your #1 against the other team’s #1? If the rotations are equal and the better pitcher always wins, you’d come out ahead by lining up the matchups to be 5-vs-1, 1-vs-2, 2-vs-3, 3-vs-4, 4-vs-5.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
by iglew on Dec 25, 2009 11:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Hmmm, I guess I'm not sure I'd be so confident that you or I know what is "good for Duke."
There’s professionals for that. We don’t know that “failure” or “potential failure” or “extra pressure” has anything at all to do with his maintaining good mental health. Your “better safe than sorry” might be more like “more sorry than safe.”
My point
is that he shouldn’t be the opening day starter. The personal problems are only a small part of that.
1. Personal problems
2. Didn’t pitch last year
3. Braden was the best starter on the staff
I’m not claiming to be a professional, but as a human being, I wouldn’t want to rush someone back from what he’s gone through. It’s a matter of respect and understanding, and treating him the way I’d want to be treated. I’m not claiming to have some kind of intimate knowledge of his situation. Plus, why would making him the 3rd starter instead of the 2nd starter be “More sorry than safe?”
Billy Beane once built a roster out of nothing more than fig leaves and a potato.
They could probably just ask him if he'd
like to pitch first. I’ll bet he’d give an honest answer.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Right, that's what I meant. Ask him.
I don’t personally put a lot of weight on the opening day starter – is there a special mystique attached to it? After that, it can be a bit tough to say what is #1 and #2. I listened to almost every As game last year, read nearly every AN post, but once the season was a quarter of the way through, it wasn’t very clear who was #2, #3, #4, was it?
I think there's a certain amount of honor attached
to pitching on opening day, yes. After that, I think it makes no difference. Except that some lazy commentators are going to interpret starting opening day as being the team’s “#1”, even if he’s not actually the best.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
That's more to my point
I mean “1 through 5” as far as what you expect from those guys, and if a fictional playoff series started right now, what would our rotation be for that fictional series. If a 7 game series started on March 1st, and ALL of these pitchers were physically healthy, who would you most trust to start game 1, 2, 3, etc.
I don’t actually care who starts opening day of a 162 game season. But, opening day is the next (hopefully not last) meaningful game the A’s are going to play this year, so I think there’s something to be said for starting the season off on the right foot, with your best guy on the mound. I personally feel Braden is currently our best pitcher. I would put Duke and Anderson pretty much neck and neck right behind him.
I agree with pretty much everything you guys have said, so I think this is just a matter of semantics. If we can fully agree on anything, I hope it’s that we (meaning the A’s) have a ton of talented starters, and if 4 of the 7 I listed in my original post perform up to their capabilities, none of what we’ve discussed here will matter at all.
Billy Beane once built a roster out of nothing more than fig leaves and a potato.
If you think Braden is better than Anderson right now,
I think you are not in agreement with the majority on AN.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Yeah. What makes me most optimistic about 2010
is that I now think Braden is the A’s third best starting pitcher, and that’s a good thing.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
But,
you guys agree that Anderson should not be the opening day starter. Ignoring absolutely everything else about the semantics of what I or anyone previously said, I’m going to whittle all this down to 1 statement and respectfully ignore this particular thread forever:
I believe Braden should take the ball on opening day. He should be followed by either a healthy Duke or Anderson.
Anything else about who will have the best year this year or who has the best future 3 years from now, literally ANY other question at all, does not interest me. If hes healthy, and even if every other pitcher in the organization is healthy, I think Braden should take the ball on opening day.
Thanks for the spirited debate, as I’m bored out of my mind at work right now and on most other days.
Billy Beane once built a roster out of nothing more than fig leaves and a potato.
I hope it can be resolved
Could be challenging. Braden probably should be the guy, but Duke is a two-time all star in the A’s uniform and he didn’t go anywhere. He just lost a year to clinical depression and injuries.
But yeah, we can discuss that as we get closer to opening day. I’m just thrilled to have one of my faves back in the fold.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 24, 2009 11:19 AM PST up reply actions
doesn't Anderson deserve strong consideration?
I mean, he was one of the top pitchers in the AL period for a couple months last year
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 24, 2009 11:30 AM PST up reply actions
I don't think he'll get the opening day start
He will probably be the best pitcher for the team over the year and could be considered the A’s #1, but the opening day start is more symbolic than indicative of talent level. It really won’t have an effect on who pitches more over the course of the year so it’s kind of a token honor that goes to the guy with a decent combination of performance and seniority. Anderson is right in the conversation as far as performance but he hasn’t paid his dues yet.
I disagree
Depending on how each of our pitchers is dealt (I could see something of a 6 man rotation in order for guys like Cahill and Duke to conserve energy until later in the season) you need your best guy out there to match up against other staffs #1.
Therefore, I want our #1 pitcher to start the first game of the year and have him up against guys like Sabathia, Beckett, Felix, etc.
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 5:34 PM PST up reply actions
6-man rotation
will probably happen when Outman returns after the AS break, that’s my guess.
by sf drift king on Dec 24, 2009 10:34 PM PST up reply actions
Yes, he's the A's best pitcher
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:27 PM PST up reply actions
The a's have a rule that you cannot start opening day if you are not allowed in a R-rated movie
"They (The 1989 A's) are the best team I ever saw"- Mike Krukow
I'm sure his guppyness could pull some strings
I think he deserves it either way, but that’s me.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 4:11 PM PST up reply actions
I'd gander Anderson or Duke gets the Opening Day start
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
I goose we'll have to see
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
Duke
at least according to Slusser
She points out that he had been projected to be the #1 starter last season, and believes that barring other moves (or injuries) he will be the #1 starter in 2010.
She also notes that his base salary is $2 million, with the rest being incentives for actually pitching. I think that’s a very good thing.
That's an incredible sweetheart deal.
Duke must really like the A’s, and really appreciate how they approached letting him work through his issues.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I wish my former employer would give me $2M plus incentives after I missed an entire year.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
what if he is?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:07 PM PST up reply actions
MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
QFfuckingT
Your day breaks, your mind aches.
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
when she no longer needs you.
Thats not very PC Mikev
It should be Happy Fucking Holidays. OK your right, I’d much rather hear Merry Christmas…screw the haters.
"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra
I have never met a single actual human person, atheists and Jews included, who claimed to be offended by the use of the phrase "Merry Christmas"
The “Happy Holidays” schmaltz is entirely a creation of corporate America.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
by PaulThomas on Dec 24, 2009 11:50 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
The whole debate is contrived.
Say, for instance, you also hope that someone has a good new year. Might you then say “happy holidays?” The idea that not using the word Christmas is political is BS.
by DDroney on Dec 24, 2009 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
...
But it’s all right now,
I learned my lesson well.
You see, you can’t please everyone,
So you got to please yourself
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions
Enjoying the view from that limb?
1) It was a joke
2) I’d rather say Merry Christmas and care less if people don’t like it
3) For what it’s worth J.P guest hosting for Gary Radnich was flooded with emails and calls for saying Merry Christmas. Perhaps he was “contriving” but more likely it reflects how shallow people can be.
"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra
Are you calling FP a humbug?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
how much less could you care?
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
Don't know about the others, but
as the (probably lone) orthodox Jew around here….
Say Merry Christmas. ‘Happy Holidays’ is an attempt to call a pig a goose. I (and others like me who don’t celebrate any significant solsticial holiday) don’t feel ‘included’, nor wish to. Kind of like putting up the Chanukiah on the courthouse lawn – it’s pointless and patronizing. Leave off that AND the tree.
Keep Rickey in Rickeymas.
by As Fan in the Bronx on Dec 24, 2009 1:44 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not orthodox
but a bunch of my family is Jewish. non orthdox though.
I’ve gotta ask though — HOW DO YOU GROW THE CURLY SIDEBURNS??? I’ve always wanted to do that.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
curling iron and LOTS of hairspray.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:53 PM PST up reply actions
Peyis?
I don’t wear them (nor do my sons, one of whom is due for his Bar Mitzvah just before opening day ! (yay!)) but you just don’t cut that hair… ever.
Most people who wear them tuck them behind their ears.
Some of the chassidim curl them by using hairspray or sugar water, and twisting them around a pencil or (supposedly, sounds like an urban legend to me) yad
by As Fan in the Bronx on Dec 24, 2009 1:54 PM PST up reply actions
Interesting.
Yeah, 2 of my cousins (close ones though) are at UC Berkeley and came over last week and we did the last day of Chanukah.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I'm kinda peeved
When some Christians deliberately exclude me when saying “Merry Christmas,” or they say “Happy Chanukah” after the fact, as if it matters to me. It feels patronizing, actually.
But the signing of Justin Duchsherer really is a Christmas Eve present. So Merry Christmas Eve.
My view is that Christmas really isn't a Christian holiday at all.
It’s a generic Western holiday that includes anybody, and the fact that it has “Christ” in the name doesn’t exclude non-Christians any more than does the “Saint” in “Saint Louis” (or for that matter the “holy” in “happy holidays”).
So when I’m out spreading Christmas cheer for filthy lucre, I always say “Merry Christmas” knowing that the greeting extends to Christians, Jews, atheists and pagans alike.
What goes around comes around. Most of the Christmas celebratory traditions the Christians took over from the pagans anyway. Now the seculars are taking them over from the Christians.
Bonus trivia quiz: Name a popular Christmas song written in the 20th century that was NOT written by a Jew. (It’s harder than you think.)
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
It's not just a western holiday. Christians in Asia and Africa celebrate it pretty
enthusiastically, as a religious holiday.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:30 PM PST up reply actions
Happy Christmas, War is Over
but you’re right … as usually, those Jews have figured out how to profit off of good Christians (said with tongue firmly embedded in cheek)
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Dec 24, 2009 4:05 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Another Christmas Song by Stephen Colbert.
but a Jew did put him in his position of power.
I’m a pagan and I celebrate Christmas. It was our holiday first anyhow. The Catholics just subjugated it to their own end. Bastards.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:09 PM PST up reply actions
First of all, >:-(
Second, “in the 20th century”.
Third, from Wikipedia:
Schlesinger and Steven M. Gold produced the songs and created the theme music and score for the program
I don’t know those guys, but those names don’t sound very goyish to me.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Schlesinger?
That was the Nazi on Oz, bro. And we gotta capitalize Nazi? That sucks.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 9:39 PM PST up reply actions
FWIW Nazi is a contraction that comes from the German
The original party name was Nationalsozialistiche Deutsche Arbeiterpartie (NSDAP, or National Socialist German Workers’ Party). Germans referred to them as the “Nationalsozialisten” (and still do today). Over time, they shortened that to “Nazi” (in German, National is pronounced NOT-zee-o-nahl). The spelling “Nazi” is an English borrowing of the German shortening; the capitalization is merely a convention and shouldn’t be seen as a nod to the Nazis.
The A's. The SWINGING A's. That's right, the SWINGING A's.
by eastcoasta'sfan on Dec 26, 2009 6:47 PM PST up reply actions
And the award for MUCH more information than I ever wanted on the Nazis goes to...
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 26, 2009 9:14 PM PST up reply actions
I could come up with plenty of popular Christmas songs not written by Jews.
But that really depends on what your definition of popular is.
m*****f***ing c***s***ing peanut butter and jelly!! f*** f*** f***!!!
Though..
your point is taken. Many of the popular ones written in the 20th century do seem to have been written by Jews.
m*****f***ing c***s***ing peanut butter and jelly!! f*** f*** f***!!!
Small sample size
Most popular songs written in the 20th century (at least, up until the mid-60’s) were written by Jews.
by As Fan in the Bronx on Dec 25, 2009 11:54 AM PST up reply actions
Not the Catholics fault
I blame Constantine. Moved the holiday to coincide with the Saturnalia to try and make it more acceptable to his pagan subjects. He was just a Helios worshiper in christian’s clothes, anyhow….
Constantine?
I blame Dickens… As I understand it, most of the popular celebration of the holiday dates from his authorship of ‘A Chrismas Carol’, and that there had prior been no more celebration of christmas than of, Oh, I don’t know… the Feast of Tabernacles.
by As Fan in the Bronx on Dec 25, 2009 11:59 AM PST up reply actions
In the early days of this country
celebration of christmas was very much frowned upon as excessively popish. Kind of ironic, since the early church did exactly as cityplANner notes above.
Historically, christmas was celebrated by christians, but in a very muted way. Santa Claus coming along changed that. Santa of course is the antithesis of the christian message – do good things and I’ll reward you. He’s offensive to a lot of Christians. My church – and we’re no raging fundamentalists – actually kicked Santa out of Christmas a few years ago.
In a sense, everyone other than pure materialists should be offended by Christmas . . . but it’s still a lot of fun if not taken too seriously.
The A's. The SWINGING A's. That's right, the SWINGING A's.
by eastcoasta'sfan on Dec 26, 2009 6:59 PM PST up reply actions
I see.
And how do you feel about the epilogue to the book of Job?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Does the epilogue to the book of Job
include Cobra benefits?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Job, Epilogue:
Sergeant Wallace: I can’t believe it was all an insurance scam.
Detective Jim: He can be a martyr for the next twenty years at the Rockway Prison.
Sergeant Wallace: But Jim, how’d you know?!
Detective Jim: The boils—they were paper-mâché.
Sergeant Wallace: What about his first wife and family, and all those servants?
Detective Jim: Mexico. They’re waiting for him and his fat insurance settlement in Cabo. Bad news, folks, he’s gonna be about two decades late—
Sergeant Wallace: —no, Jim: only twelve years, with good behavior!
{both laugh}
{roll credits}
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 27, 2009 10:37 PM PST up reply actions
One of the highlights of my punning career
came in an 8th grade English class when we read Archibald MacLeish’s “J.B.”, which is a rewriting of the Book of Job.
In the typically vapid classroom discussion, the teacher asked, “How do you think J.B. felt after his children were killed?” and I said “ruthless”.
One guy got it right away. Everyone else, including the teacher, was perplexed.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
It's sad to peak in 8th grade.
That’s why I’m saving my best pun for when I’m in my late 50s.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
aren't you 70?!
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 29, 2009 2:35 PM PST up reply actions
We're talkinb about age, silly, not IQ
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
bonus answer
i could be wrong about chris butler not being jewish, but i’m gonna go with xmas wrapping.
felices fiestas, everyone!
don't care if i ever get back.
Well, that's called self-identification
The only people who would ever say that Christmas isn’t really a Christian holiday are…. Christians.
And I’m surprised at you… your arguments on baseball subjects are generally more cogent.
by As Fan in the Bronx on Dec 25, 2009 11:53 AM PST up reply actions
And I'm the exception who proves this rule?
The only people who would ever say that Christmas isn’t really a Christian holiday are…. Christians.
Or are you under the misimpression that I’m a Christian?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I also would be an exception.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 2:22 PM PST up reply actions
I figured you were a Christian or a Jew,
not an Exception.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I converted on February 29th one year long ago.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 2:31 PM PST up reply actions
All Hail Reverend LB of the Church Of Exception!
His seed is pure and his sermons are gold.
His wisdom will lead us to riches untold.
As fortune, we all know, will favor the bold
And he’ll convert all the heathens in Oakland.
Opening for him will be the Reverend Billy Lard of the United Astral Church of scenic Modesto, California. Mr. Lard will be delivering three sermonettes on the heavenly wonder of cheese, and how it can be better integrated into today’s busy lifestyles.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 26, 2009 8:32 PM PST up reply actions
I'm not sure we need a speech on how to
incorporate cheese. I incorporate too much cheese.
But bonus points for a rhyming poem.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 26, 2009 9:15 PM PST up reply actions
Well, obviously it's not meant to be taken literally;
it refers to any manufacturers of dairy products.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Actually I would say that, and I'm an Atheist.
"The A's get some action but they do not score..." -Glen Kuiper
"Anyone who calls themselves the Angels Angels should have to start over and ride the short bus." -timmeh from McCovey Chronicles
It was also a big thing in public schools
I remember my little sister’s classes had to stop doing Christmas celebrations because of some parents and students complaining…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 5:38 PM PST up reply actions
yep
that’s where it all changes for me. people can say whatever they want to in public. but public funds have to be used to either inculcate/promote no religion in particular, or all of them (plus the absence of them) equally.
don't care if i ever get back.
offended isn't the right word
but as someone who doesn’t practice the faith, I can tell you that Christmas is pretty overwhelming. I actually appreciate when someone says “happy holidays” and doesn’t assume I am of the same belief that he/she is.
I don't practice anything close to Christianity.
I sacrifice several small animals to the glory of Satan.
And I love Christmas.
It’s the presents, mainly.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 9:41 PM PST up reply actions
Even you and I disagree a lot.
I also sacrifice several small animals and unwanted virgins to the glory of Satan,
but I could give a flying f**kbiscuit about Christmas,
and presents are a tedious chore.
Nobody’s ever bought me acid and whores for Christmas, and until somebody does, Bah Humbug!
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 9:56 PM PST up reply actions
Well....I AM returning to the Bay Area, so there's always hope.
I like the idea of cutting down a tree and bringing it inside. Gaffigan’s right—it sounds like a drunk guy.
And fuckbiscuits are delicious. Especially the flying ones.
mmmmm…acid and whores….
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:31 PM PST up reply actions
Please
You just like the fuckbiscuits for the special sauce. You just like to suck it right out and toss the biscuit aside when it sinks and goes limp.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
Buttermilk biscuits free today?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:42 PM PST up reply actions
Buttermilk... sure!
If that’s what you want to call it…
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 8:57 AM PST up reply actions
You guys would be fun to spend Christmas with.
I don’t sacrifice any small animals. I do enjoy burning stuff though.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I'm too much of a softie to sacrifice small furry animals.
I like small furry animals.
I could sacrifice Florida cockroaches, which might actually qualify as small furry animals.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 12:19 AM PST up reply actions
Wow.
Well, they’re big enough that I could definitely see poor people eating them.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 9:08 PM PST up reply actions
same
im an athiest, but presents kick ass…
"They (The 1989 A's) are the best team I ever saw"- Mike Krukow
...I can't say I'm an atheist.
I believe in something…I’m not sure what it is, though.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 12:18 AM PST up reply actions
I actually am a Satanist...
but LaVeyan Satanism is more like being a Klingon than being connected to the Judeo-Christian tradition in any meaningful way.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 8:59 AM PST up reply actions
Do you have a disturbing purple aura to you?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 2:23 PM PST up reply actions
with a big square hole in the middle of my chest
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 27, 2009 12:50 AM PST up reply actions
and what happened next, down in Hell they say,
is that Gaijin’s aura grew three sizes that day.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 27, 2009 10:38 PM PST up reply actions
and then on Satan's desk he did pound
and beat that mean old devil down to the ground….
Now hell is fresh and clean and cool,
and although it evaporates quickly,
G_S even put in a pool!
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 28, 2009 1:27 AM PST up reply actions
this summer
can you sacrifice a few Angels?
The A's. The SWINGING A's. That's right, the SWINGING A's.
by eastcoasta'sfan on Dec 26, 2009 7:03 PM PST up reply actions
If intent means anything,
I’ve sacrificed CHONE several times.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 26, 2009 9:16 PM PST up reply actions
Guys, you're reading this wrong. Take a look again:
I have never met a single actual human person
I keed, I keed. Merry Christmas.
m*****f***ing c***s***ing peanut butter and jelly!! f*** f*** f***!!!
The phrase doesn't offend me
but the people who throw it in my face out of some misguided perceived slight from the phrase “Happy Holidays” sure do.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Like 90% of Christmas, then?
The "Happy Holidays" schmaltz is entirely a creation of corporate America.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Precisely
It’s calculated to sell more products. (And reading between the lines, mostly to sell more products to Jews.)
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
They already gotta but eight presents, though...
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 26, 2009 9:16 PM PST up reply actions
the timing
As I only want people to have a happy Dec. 25th, but then start the new year rather crappily so I’ll be relatively better off, I don’t include a “happy new years” in my global greeting. Thus, I just use the term “Merry Christmas” because I’m an ass.
by rollierollieOxenfree on Dec 26, 2009 11:51 PM PST up reply actions
There's time to rob 'em all the more
the other three hundred and sixty-four.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
easy, Tom.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 27, 2009 10:39 PM PST up reply actions
That's actually a great song
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Amazing!!
I was sure he’d be pitching in the AL east. Great news, at least sentimentally
(Oh, and obFP)
by As Fan in the Bronx on Dec 24, 2009 10:49 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Sorry for the double post, folks
I thought Nico was off winning millions of dollars at a casino somewhere.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 24, 2009 10:50 AM PST reply actions
It might not be the most exciting baseball
But expect a lot of low-scoring, great pitching matchups for the A’s next year.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Dec 24, 2009 10:53 AM PST reply actions
As long as we have the bigger small number... 'tis ok with me.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
I still feel we are one
Starter short of a really front-line fantastic MLB rotation. I love the move, but maybe if we could just get one more guy (I really don’t see the problem with signing Tomko to a incentive laden 1 year deal) we could really be talking here.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
I dunno...
Even though they may not all be as good as they’ve ever been, Imagining this rotation gives me chills…
1. The Duke
2. Braden
3. Mr. Anderson
4. Trevordacthill
5. Out-Man
When they’re “on,” it gets really hard to beat them.
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 24, 2009 12:06 PM PST up reply actions
I agree
But I think a guy like Darren Oliver (not that I’m advocating we should have signed him) would be a smart deal. The kind of guy who can spot start or jump in to the rotation if need be but is also a valuable asset in the pen.
Looking through possible FA, the only guys who jump out as possibilities would be Jeff Weaver or Randy Johnson.
Of course, if we were somehow able to ink Chapman to a deal, sounds like he could jump into a big league rotation my mid June…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 5:43 PM PST up reply actions
We could always bring this conversation back up
Braden
Duke
Anderson
Bailey
Cahill
;)
"The A's get some action but they do not score..." -Glen Kuiper
"Anyone who calls themselves the Angels Angels should have to start over and ride the short bus." -timmeh from McCovey Chronicles
I am all for this conversation to be had
If his secondary stuff is legit, I don’t see the problem with trying him in the rotation. However, he has never pitched more than 120 IP in a pro season, even though he was initially conditioned to be a starter.
Although the technicality of who exactly gets that 5th spot can also be argued though, and should be a competition in ST IMO.
As a proponent of the “all young prospects should get their shot in the rotation first, and relief prospects are immensely overrated,” mentality,
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
dang nabbit premature posting
…I"d be for trying Bailey in the rotation. Too many young, cost controlled SP is a good problem to have…
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
But we already have a glut of SPs to try
That, and Bailey blew as a starter and had excelled as reliever, for whatever reason. No sense in ruining a good thing, right?
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 26, 2009 3:12 PM PST up reply actions
It's possible that he blew as a starter due to a lack of confidence in his pitches.
His walk rate reduced significantly, and I want to see if that was just because he started pitching less, or if he actually grew as a player. There’s several examples of players starting their major league career as a reliever, and being placed back in the starters role.
"The A's get some action but they do not score..." -Glen Kuiper
"Anyone who calls themselves the Angels Angels should have to start over and ride the short bus." -timmeh from McCovey Chronicles
Uh.
Fuck Rotoworld. " It’s a minor upset to see Duchscherer stay in Oakland[…]." They can shove it where the sun don’t shine; Duke is ours!
CELEBRATE.
"You're just jealous. You wish you had a rally animal..." -CardinalWraith
That's exactly what I was about to post
Go eat a bag of dick, Rotoworld.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Just go find 67 and ask him
to offer up his favorite player bat.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
Ray Fucking Fosse's 'bout to beat a bitch.
"You're just jealous. You wish you had a rally animal..." -CardinalWraith
I just don't see it
Fosse doesn’t seem the type to hurt a poor little puppy.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
I could see him getting all messed up on PCP
and tearing the ass off some bear out in the woods…
aw, who am I kidding? Whenever I think of Ray Fosse I picture him all dressed up in black, eating ice cream outside of Pete Rose’s apartment, shooting out all the windows of Pete’s cars with a BB gun and cackling loudly like a madman.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 1:33 PM PST up reply actions
Mmmmm...
PCP’s fun….
Quick show of hands, how many of you have smoked some festive angel dust?!
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:40 PM PST up reply actions
Yay!
I like you more now.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:47 PM PST up reply actions
Um, you switch souls with PT when I wasn't looking?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:53 PM PST up reply actions
I told you to get out of my head!
Wait…that would mean I’m in your head…
….
I’m not a pigment of your colorful imagination, am I?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:59 PM PST up reply actions
Azure's nice.
But I’m partial to cyan.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 2:26 PM PST up reply actions
Which Pantone was that?
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 9:58 PM PST up reply actions
I don't have my $200!!!!!
pantone paint chip chart in front of me, so I know not.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:32 PM PST up reply actions
Just put a mask of Pete Rose's face on there
and Fosse will, literally, tear that bitch up.
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 5:45 PM PST up reply actions
It's a minor upset
Upset as in “Hampton beats Iowa State”, not upset as in “Dammit, the Giants exist”.
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
by Player To Be Named Later on Dec 24, 2009 3:30 PM PST up reply actions
I didn't read that and take it like they're disappointed he stayed
I read it as saying the unlikely happened in that he didn’t go to another team for more money, taking less to stay here. You know, kind of like the Warriors beating a playoff-caliber team would be an upset right now.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Seems like a waste of payroll
$5 mill including incentives for duke
$5 mill for crisp
Now if they bring back Cust at $3+ mill, Hairston gets $3mill in arby
I could find better ways to spend potentially $16mill+ and improve this team. Yet after all these moves they will still be without legit SS and 3b help.
Up to $5.5MM for an All-Star caliber starting pitcher (potentially) is a waste of payroll?
I am glad you don’t hold the pursestrings.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
So will the 08 version of duke magically appear?
Believe me, I’d love that, I just dont expect it. If they bring in another veteran type SP, then this move is understandable.
by MagicMike23 on Dec 24, 2009 11:05 AM PST up reply actions
Maybe not
but at least WE are in the position to find out.
Not the Red Sox or gasp, the Pirates!
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
I don't think he'll magically appear
but I think that given the nature of his injuries, he’s a much better than average candidate to make a complete recovery.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
They are all 1 year contracts.
If you were thinking about using that 16 mil to get a guy like bay or holliday, that would be 13-16mil/year for the next 5-6 years. The 1 year contracts are way better and less risky, plus they fall in line with Nico and Blez’s secret evil plan to take over the world and sign Justin Upton in 2014.
Cust is the new Jaha.
by johnjahafanclub on Dec 24, 2009 12:59 PM PST up reply actions
Beltre and Chapman
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:32 PM PST up reply actions
I see it's already time for the airing of grievances
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
When do we get to the feats of strength?
I could really go for some wrestling right now.
Drinking so much that you forget your name is like trying to cure cancer, it might not be possible, but you should never stop trying.
by Trojanbrand on Dec 24, 2009 11:05 AM PST up reply actions
caber tossing!
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
Corn chips are no place for a mighty warrior.
Your day breaks, your mind aches.
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
when she no longer needs you.
Actually
both those deals seem sound to me.
Crisp to me, at worst is a Cabrera-type deal that brings energy to the franchise, but if it doesn’t work and were in the cellar at the deadline he gets traded to a contender in a typical Beane-esque deal.
Duke is just a triumph imo. It’ll be good to see him back in the rotation bringing his toughness to a rotation that seemed to lack it in 2009.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
I'll cut you some slack... others won't but oh well
I can see where you’re going with this and I think it’s a fairly reasonable question in the abstract:
If the A’s have/had $16 million they could drop on the 2010 roster why not spend it on 1 player?
The thing I think you need to remember is that spending that much dough on Jason Bay or John Lackey or Matt Holliday entails a multi-year commitment and even if you were willing to bite that bullet you’d still be without the SS or 3B you crave. And if we drop the dollar figure to the $10 million or so they’ve actually got tied up in Duke and Crisp, I think it’s fair to ask if maybe that money might have been better spent on Chone Figgins.
Hopefully other folks are worried enough about getting stockings full of coal to limit the snark in their replies.
The monster at the end of this blog.
Good point
And one I agree with. Thing is, though, I don’t think Bay/Lackey/Holliday are the class of FA’s you want to spend huge dollars on. Lets wait for a REAL star.
I wasnt really saying to invest all that $$ in one player or a star
Either way, they’d likely not come here. There’s just more risk with crisp, duke, etc with their injuries. High payroll teams can take those, A’s have little margin for error. The SS, 3b position looks even more bleak than it it did a yr or two ago. I just see those as more pressing needs than another OF and SP. I hope beane has following trades and FA’s planned.
by MagicMike23 on Dec 24, 2009 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
There isn't a hitter of Thomas's caliber on the FA market
and there’s enough DHs on the market that Cust, or whatever DH the A’s get, will come at a bargain basement rate.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
I think Delgado is arguably of Thomas's caliber.
Insofar as anyone is, I mean. If you want to make the argument that Frank is such a mega-stud that there are barely ten guys in the entire decade who are of his caliber, well, I wouldn’t dispute that.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I totally think the A's should roll the dice on Delgado if the price is right
He’s a truly fantastic hitter, and his stats from 2009 don’t suggest he’s in any sudden decline. And nothing is more likely to keep him healthy than to DH.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
hmm...
He’s one to dream on a little, but I don’t know.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 27, 2009 12:58 AM PST up reply actions
It's a fair question
I’d rather they signed Scutaro, Beltre or Holliday (not so much the other high-ticket FAs) than do the gaggle of moves they’ve done so far. (Setting aside for a second that Holliday probably isn’t interested.)
On the other hand, if they can do both, then it’s not an issue.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
I think that "spending money" is almost always a better move, from the fan's perspective, than "not spending money"
So I’m not sure exactly which ceteris is paribus.
If you stipulate that the money is actually going to be spent somewhere and it’s just a question of where to spend it, I think signing Crisp was basically a pointless waste.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
Beltre's market should drop far enough
that he falls into the A’s range. If the other team(s) bidding for Beltre is someone like the Twins, and not a big market team, he’s very attainable. Unless of course the Red Sox get involved and the whole market changes.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Well...
Scutaro wanted to sign with a contender, so thats the A’s out of the equation. There is still a chance to sign Beltre, and Figgins would have been a decent pickup. Holiday (and Bay for that matter) is a non-starter. They could still sign someone, but one year deals seem to be the going rate, so theres probably not a lot of widespread interest in signing here anyway.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
We are a contender dammit!
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:34 PM PST up reply actions
I agree with PT here, and would add Chapman
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:33 PM PST up reply actions
Bay and Holliday
These 2 are not worth the money they want. Neither is much more than a $10 million man and certainly not more than 4 years. This is why they are still on the market.
You realize Holliday was worth about $12M *just* in Oakland last year, right?
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
And by "worth" you mean that
the wins over replacement level equivalent to what Holliday provided in Oakland last year would have cost $12M on the free agent market.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I thnk everyone
was just waiting around for Holiday to hit the 3-run dinger and after he left the whole organization realized they would have to start running around, and run around they very much did.
One can hardly blame him or Giambi for the teams comparatively rickety start.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
I can blame Giambi. He was terrible.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:35 PM PST up reply actions
He needed to DH every day
not play 1st. I still don’t blame him.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
what about for being a dirty, dirty traitor and signing with the Yankees
instead of resigning with us?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:10 PM PST up reply actions
I blame him for that too
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
and that's one of myriad reasons I love you.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:16 PM PST up reply actions
and the JFK assassination
"You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy."
-Charles Manson
by kaweahkaweah on Dec 25, 2009 9:00 AM PST up reply actions
I'd have taken Holiday for 5/$80M or even 6/$95M
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:35 PM PST up reply actions
Another issue ...
Spending $16m on three players has significantly more upside than spending it on one.
If things work out, we have an All-Star pitcher, one of the best CFs around and two solid OF/DH options … bringing in a total of something like 10 wins above average …
With a Bay/Holliday/Lackey-type, you’re almost certainly going to get one player who is 3-5 wins above average, but with zero upside. The A’s need upside.
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
You talking to me?
Wow. ;-)
I’m quite happy with bringing Duke back and if you’re of the camp that fears Rajai turning into a pumpkin than Crisp makes a fairly decent insurance policy for CF. Plus I’ve always been a speed whore.
How you been?
The monster at the end of this blog.
I'm agreeing with you and adding to your point ...
Busy … first semester of grad school, lot of political stuff, various other things … very busy …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
Thanks for the adding
Just rare to see you around here anymore. You still in Sac?
The monster at the end of this blog.
Yeah ... haven't had the time to keep up ...
Yeah, still in Sac … getting my Masters at CSUS …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
I thought you were dead.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:11 PM PST up reply actions
He is dead. He's merely acting alive.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 7:13 PM PST up reply actions
reanimator.
zombie devo.
run.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:16 PM PST up reply actions
Thought that was "CUST" at first... < sigh >
With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery
I understand your point...
But at least the Duke is a guy we can enjoy rooting for. Like many have posted, I have met Duke a few times at charity events and the like, and was sad to hear of his troubles lately – was going to root hard for him no matter where he went, and I’m happier I can just root for him in Oakland than having to be a Red Sox fan every 5th day.
mAgciK MiKE!
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 24, 2009 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
ZOMG! cAN i hAZ ThE gM joB NoW!
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 24, 2009 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
Um... okay.
Instead of being so critical of these two one year deals, tell us what you’d do to fill our SS & 3B holes that we can’t still do? I don’t think you can. Certainly not without killing our future while not greatly improving our present.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
A few moves
They could turn this extra OF and reliever depth into something useful. When teams are interested in Rodney at $5+ mill/yr I would think there would be a market for maybe wuertz, ziegler, etc.
Same for Hairston, in a week FA CF class of Byrd, Podsednik, etc. I dont think trading any of those players kills the A’s future and since they are around their late 20’s, early 30s they likely are not in the A’s long term plans or will be around as core players when the A’s are legit contenders again. I would also inquire on beltre and tejada, depending on the asking price.
by MagicMike23 on Dec 24, 2009 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
Assuming for a moment
there are SS & 3Bs that are available for those partially cast-off players (which I doubt will be much of an upgrade without something with more substance in the deal), how are these two signings stopping that from still happening?
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
What is the A's budget?
I believe 30mill is off last yrs payroll. So they will likely spend around 10-15mill if the following moves happens so far. They’ve shown some interest in beltre and potentially involved in the chapman biddings.
by MagicMike23 on Dec 24, 2009 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
Odds of the A's signing either is slim
But I suspect there’s nothing stopping them from making offers to both of these guys or signing them. Certainly not these two moves.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
I hope you're right
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:36 PM PST up reply actions
I'm nervous about Chapman...
I mean, the dude throws 100mph, which is nutso.
But Harden threw hard, too. So hard, in fact, that he became injury-prone.
As an A’s fan, injuries are one thing I could do without, or at least less of them. Sheesh.
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 24, 2009 12:12 PM PST up reply actions
Nolan Ryan was pretty durable
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:36 PM PST up reply actions
Nolan Ryan was a once in a lifetime type of pitcher.
The chance that any of us ever gets to see someone pitch like Ryan again is, to say the least, remote.
"Stick that mothe…. oh Hai. Um, excuse me sir, can I have the ball back?" - Future Ed
I'll be really curious
To see if Lincecum starts experiencing some arm issues.
otherwise, that’s a twice in a lifetime kind of pitcher…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 5:49 PM PST up reply actions
Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Frank
Tanana, Jim Palmer, Bob Gibson, Jack Morris, Bert Blyleven, Jim Kaat, Fergie Jenkins, Dennis Martinez are all among the Top 50 in career IP.
The non fireballers of recent vintage are Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro, Don Sutton, Greg Maddux, Jamie Moyer, Jerry Koosman andTommy John.
I see no great pattern here. Throwing hard has little or nothing to do with durability.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 7:06 PM PST up reply actions
Small exception here....
Some of those guys started off as fireballers. Then they lost the fire but not the desire.
I’ll take a smart pitcher any day over a fire breathing kid.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Leverage makes it smarter to wait on the trades
You generally shouldn’t trade until after all the comparable FA options are off the board, because that’s leverage the buying teams have against the sellers.
As soon as Lackey went off the board, 3 frontline SP got traded within the week and the returns for 2 of them (Halladay and Vazquez) were solid (Doc’s was great).
There were no star-caliber OFers in last year’s FA market, so it was easy for the Rox to get good return on Holliday early; however, the White Sox struck out, big time, on Nick Swisher due to the presence of mid-level OF FA.
Making trades before comparable FA options are off the board is asinine, as someone. Now that all the major FA relievers, with the exception of Valverde, are off the board, now is when you swoop in and try to trade a reliever to a team that needs it. So now’s when Beane shoudl start looking for takers on Ziegler/Wuertz.
I’d wait till at least one of Byrd/Pods was off the market before trying to trade an OF.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
by Blicks on Dec 24, 2009 1:34 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I can't believe Podsednik is considered better than Hairston.
He might be, but I still can’t believe it.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:37 PM PST up reply actions
He's not better, but his career year and "clutchness"
makes him attractive to stupid GMs like Hendry who are looking for CFs.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
+1
well said…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 5:50 PM PST up reply actions
As I alluded to your other post in the other thread...
…I think the guaranteed base is a factor here… regarding whether or not Duke’s salary is a waste. If the guaranteed part is $2M-ish, then it’s ok. If he does do well, and earns the full $5+M, then that’s ok with me, too. For both his sake and ours, I sincerely hope he does do well, but I’m not holding my breath.
If, however, the guaranteed portion is say, $4M… then I think they guaranteed too much consider all that he has to put together both physically and emotionally, coupled with his recent history of injury, etc.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
I always thought it would be fun to
sign up on the Angels web board, pretend to be an Angels fan, then mock the team’s every move. I wonder if user name MagicMike is taken over there?
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 24, 2009 12:44 PM PST up reply actions
FTW!
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 24, 2009 12:59 PM PST up reply actions
OMG I'M SO TIRED OF THE A'S NEVER KEEPING THEIR PLAYERS
OMG I’M SO TIRED OF THE A’S SPENDING MONEY ON THEIR PLAYERS THEY DON’T NEED
Can people ever make up their fucking mind?
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
OMG I HAVE A HANGNAIL!!
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:54 PM PST up reply actions
OMG can people ever make up their fucking mind?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:38 PM PST up reply actions
$2 mil + incentives for Duke...
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 5:47 PM PST up reply actions
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
by xbhaskarx on Dec 25, 2009 11:06 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Subject line please!
Please use the subject line so those of us on slow machines can close the gif comments. Thanks!
by el generico on Dec 26, 2009 5:29 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
that's surely (surly) what iglew's cross-face was about.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 26, 2009 9:18 PM PST up reply actions
In fairness
This is primarily an SBN software issue. Users can hack around it pretty easily, but they shouldn’t have to.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
Please tell me how to hack around it.
How can I make the animated GIFs not show up, even if they don’t have a subject line? Bhaskar has made up his mind to be uncooperative, so I need to find another way.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
2011
After this season Chavez and Ellis will be done for, which frees up 17 mil. That makes up for what they are spending on all these 1 years. Worst case scenario it doesn’t work out with any of the 1 years, then in 2011 we will have 33 million freed up. Now that can be very helpful in establishing a championship team. Right now Beane is just trying to do what he can do in 2010, just to please the fans and the organization, he probably isn’t even expecting a playoff spot. He is looking forward to 2011.
by Mikey6rocker on Dec 26, 2009 2:39 AM PST up reply actions
I get what you're saying
But there is addition with subtraction. There will be some young players due arbitration raises after 2010 as well (Braden, Ziegler, Suzuki, Barton). Then again, Crisp’s recent contract should be coming off the books to make up for that.
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 26, 2009 3:36 AM PST up reply actions
And Davis, Sweeney, and Hairston, if they are still around.
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 26, 2009 3:39 AM PST up reply actions
Barton and Ziegler probably won't get arb in 2011
The time Barton spent in AAA in ’09 should push him back a year. He spent half the ’09 season in AAA, no way he makes super 2.
Same with Ziegler not coming up until later in the ’08 season.
But then Wuertz is arb eligible as well.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Great news.
Not sure why anyone would not like this deal.
"I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be." -- Peter Gibbons
Strong pitching + strong defense = 2009 Mariners.
I see us being a .500 club this coming year. This means that if things break right, we could be in the playoffs, and if things break wrong (think arms and legs), well, at least we still have a strong core and the future still hasn’t been compromised.
"I am happy because I do not have unrealistic expectations"- Karma Ura...or an A's fan.
by DyeLongJustice on Dec 24, 2009 11:17 AM PST reply actions
Mariners also scored the least runs in the league
Lets be honest, A’s had a large part in the M’s record last yr the way they were dominated. Wasnt it 1-9 in road games vs mariners?
by MagicMike23 on Dec 24, 2009 11:21 AM PST up reply actions
Well, it's not like the A's scored a whole lotta runs either...
"I am happy because I do not have unrealistic expectations"- Karma Ura...or an A's fan.
by DyeLongJustice on Dec 24, 2009 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
Had a better run differential than the Mariners ...
and outscored them by 119 runs …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
Thank You Duke
Let’s hope his year off has rejuvenated him. His mind & body / arm should be ready to go. Merry Christmas.
Paddle Faster! I hear banjo music.
new nickname?
Justin DO THE RIGHT THING!
So glad we get to see him pitch again after we paid him not to last year. Justin, ultimate respect to you from all A’s fans, now LETS GO AND GET EM!!!
You know what's hilarious?
We got Duke for Christmas. The Angels got Fernando Rodney.
Your day breaks, your mind aches.
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
when she no longer needs you.
by danmerqury on Dec 24, 2009 11:21 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Hey do you want to hear the horrible truth?
Or would you rather watch Matsui not hit some dingers!
Drinking so much that you forget your name is like trying to cure cancer, it might not be possible, but you should never stop trying.
by Trojanbrand on Dec 24, 2009 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
Can you imagine Billy Beane
Paying a free agent closer more than $5 million per season? The Angels have now done it back to back years.
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 24, 2009 1:15 PM PST up reply actions
I think he would have signed Keith Foulke for that much
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:39 PM PST up reply actions
no dingers!!!
of course that’s a lie. everyone loves dingers…
I have never liked a homerun by either
Derek Jeter or A-Rod.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:54 PM PST up reply actions
Not even when A-Rod was a rookie with the M's?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Didn't he hit one in his last ab as a mariner
playoffs against the yankees?
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - danmerqury
Definitely not.
I have never liked ol’ Purple Lips.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
I dream of the day a man can judged not by the color of his lips but by the
content of his syringe.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 7:14 PM PST up reply actions
he's a ball-slapping douche.
I don’t care how many home runs the man hits.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:17 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah!
Who are we talking about again? Beltre, right?
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
well, all of 'em, I guess.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:33 PM PST up reply actions
why?
What happens to Fox? If they had doubts on Wallace playing 3b, I think the same issues remain with Fox.
I have no clue what they have planned with Hairston since they’d likely be paying him $3million as a 4th OF. The only possible spot for AB’s would be DH. Or they could trade him to teams looking for OF help.
by MagicMike23 on Dec 24, 2009 11:31 AM PST up reply actions
Because Cust is better than Fox
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:40 PM PST up reply actions
They still need a 3B. I wouldn't call it a winter quite yet.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:40 PM PST up reply actions
Excellent move
This will do two things for sure.
1. It will put butts in the seats.
2. Ensure that Duke isn’t pitching for a rival organization.
Everything else will be icing on the cake.
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 24, 2009 11:28 AM PST reply actions
I'm not sure about butts in seats
But him pitching for the slegnA would be a catastrophe.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 24, 2009 11:33 AM PST up reply actions
Well mine anyway
and whatever call girl I can pay
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 24, 2009 11:47 AM PST up reply actions
I some who'd join you for the price of the ticket.
Join you for the game, I mean. Beyond that, you’re on your own.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Re-signing Duke
Has honestly tipped me over to renewing my seats for next year (that and the % drop I was notified I qualified for this year)
at AN day we made Duke a get well poster
and Nate, I think, put some sort of get well wishes, with an addendum at the bottom that said “if you sign with the Angels, may you burn in hell”. Or something. I don’t think it was that dramatic.
Nevertheless, he heeded Nate’s advice. Woo!
The Duke ain't no bitch
But I’m fairly confident your sign persuaded him into resigning here…
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 5:53 PM PST up reply actions
It may have been a banner.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:13 PM PST up reply actions
I think I saw it.
Might have written on it too. Some D-Bag made it, from waht I can recall.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
WOOOOOOOO
DUCHSCHERERERERERERERER!
A’s are certainly contenders for the division now. (maybe not, but you heard it here first!)
you're right about that.
…that you said it first, I mean.
by A's Fan by Design on Dec 24, 2009 12:09 PM PST up reply actions
Billy Beane Said
at a recent A’s function that the A’s WILL NOT be contending for a playoff berth in 2010. His goal is to build a team for the future that will contend for years to come.
Get Them B4 They Get You!
Yeah, whatever
Beane wants to stay under the radar in 2010.
In Duchsherer, Braden and Cahill, the A’s have three pitchers who need to rely on a solid defense behind them. The Crisp signing ensures a great outfield, and then when you add Barton at 1B and Ellis at 2B and Zooks behind the plate, you’re set in almost all positions. Imagine how good the team becomes in the field if Chavez actually can play or if Pennington gets over his early career jitters.
True, the team can’t hit for power, but the outfield is very very fast, and if you put Buck as your primary back-up, you’ve got more speed and quality fielding. Unless Beane can squeeze a great unheralded infielder out of Rajai Davis selling high, I suspect he’ll dump Hairston. Then he either signs Cust or goes for a Thome or Dye as DH, and there’s your team. Very fast, quality starting, brilliant relieving, great fielding, and scrounging for runs.
Then, in mid-season, you bring in the lumber in Taylor and Carter.
and...
If the A’s were to sign Tejada, for instance, they’d have insurance for Chavez and/or a back-up for Pennington and/or a DH.
oh definitely
if he really did say “we’re not contending” thats a goddamn smokescreen if ever I saw one.
Beane coming out and saying he’s not trying to contend = in his mind we have a potential 90+ win team.
That's totally standard poker.
Mike Caro says, “If Billy Beane looks you in the eye with no fire in his, he is weak. If Billy Beane looks you in the eye with fire in his, he is strong.”
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 9:01 AM PST up reply actions
Mad Mike!
You think if he made some money at either poker or non-verbal cues, he’d have better personal grooming.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 2:25 PM PST up reply actions
I don't know about that...
the raggediness has always been part of his fake-bluffy style.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 27, 2009 1:00 AM PST up reply actions
crazy beard?
hmmm…maybe.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 27, 2009 10:40 PM PST up reply actions
I remain of the belief that
what Billy is attempting to field this year is the same as what he attempted to field last year — namely, a middling, just over 500 ish team — but the difference is whereas last year they played up expectations, this year they will play down expectations.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Beane has never, ever deliberately fielded a non-contending team.
He’s always trying to build a team that will contend. Sometimes he relies on chips to fall the right way (Like expecting Giambi&Nomar to not suck last year, not having the entire team get hurt in 07+08) but every roster he puts together has the potential to win the division. This one is no different, and if Beltre and a DH is added, we are absolutely within our means to contend.
I agree
My biggest concern is that right now the A’s don’t have anyone whom I think should bat #3 OR #4 in a decent lineup, which is a bit scary. But add a DH, Cust or someone else, and add a 3Bman who isn’t a ridiculous 3-4-5 hitter, and the team has at least the potential to be good.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I think this is what he expects
But if the A’s are indeed in true contention, however unlikely that may be, I am sure he would be open acquiring someone for the stretch run. Especially if we still have a glut of outfielders by then, I could see us getting a rent-a-player and giving up a couple guys that a non-contending team might want
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 24, 2009 7:33 PM PST up reply actions
Screw the analysis this time
Good deal all around. Great to have Duke back.
we in the losin baseball binness. and cousin, binness is a boomin.
Beautiful. Couldn't be happier about this.
Also, Mychael Urban 24 hours ago:
Learned that A’s are still talking to J. Cust. And don’t believe that J. Duchscherer is about to sign somewhere. He’s not.
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
by vegAN ryAN on Dec 24, 2009 11:56 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Well he hasn't actually signed yet...
"To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to. If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying" - Ichiro
by Philip Christy on Dec 24, 2009 2:04 PM PST up reply actions
so I guess I should...
NOT believe that Cust will re-sign?
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
hahaha
There’s nothing I enjoy more than being able to reference old articles by writers and being able to:
A) Find them directly contradict themselves, or
B) Have that blurb disputed later by cold, hard facts.
And there’s no one better at it than Urban. I can recall several instances last offseason where Urban said something and later would say the exact opposite.
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 5:56 PM PST up reply actions
I took this to mean
Don’t believe the rumors that Duke is signing with an NL team. That will not happen.
I was relieved the A’s were still interested after reading his comments.
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 25, 2009 3:36 AM PST up reply actions
I read it the same.
I read Urban’s 24-hours-ago twitter as showing he was right, not wrong.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Exactly -- Urban was the first one I saw saying "Duke will re-sign with the A's"
And he was 100% accurate.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
and Cindi out of the closet?
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 10:01 PM PST up reply actions
Cindi's GAY?!
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:33 PM PST up reply actions
that's hawt.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
I keep picturing Nico in a dress with an ill-fitting wig and A LOT of lipstick on.
Like a good inch past where his lips end.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:43 PM PST up reply actions
Please stop sharing your pictures...
or at least add a better filter so that the pictures are pleasant to imagine?
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
You've apparently never seen our
defacto blogfather in a dress.
Two words: Me Yow
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 11:11 PM PST up reply actions
i see you were up late xmas eve.
no doubt florida is magical this time of year?
alaska A residing in northern Idaho.
It's always magical.
If by magical, you mean capable of sucking a man clean dry of life in all discernible ways.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 2:26 PM PST up reply actions
Merry Christmas
This is the best gift of all.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Dec 24, 2009 12:24 PM PST reply actions
Rotation
As to the coming rotation, this forces the A’s to put one of their major league ready prospects in AAA (barring injury, which I guess is a little silly).
As in, one of Mazzaro, Gio, and Cahill has to start in AAA, not to mention Outman if/when he returns.
I think it would be ridiculous to put either Gio or Mazzaro in AAA over Cahill, and though when the A’s had enough open spots in the majors for Cahill I was in favor of leaving him here so as not to ruin his confidence, I think it’s obvious that he needs to be sent down now.
I also think I’m higher on Mazzaro than many, to me it looked like he got tired and lost confidence after his initial success in the majors. His fastball has beautiful movement and his slider can be a kill pitch, and he’s shown excellent control in the minors, his major development needs to be to trust himself more in the majors, allow himself to throw more strikes, and I fully expect him to have a good year. Point is, I see a lot more possibility that Mazzaro sticks next year than Cahill who needs to learn another pitch, or relearn that curveball.
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
So to be clear, I'd go with:
Duke
Braden
Anderson
Gio
Mazzaro
which to me looks like a potentially awesome rotation.
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Dec 24, 2009 12:30 PM PST up reply actions
so if Gio can't find the plate again
Do you bring up Cahill right away, or wait for Outman to mend and then plug him in there?
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 24, 2009 12:33 PM PST up reply actions
that's what I'm saying
Do you give Gio an extended chance even though he might be flailing (as Cahill towards to the end of last season) or bring Cahill back, or not even worry about Cahill this year and throw Outman in there in mid-July or whenever he returns?
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 24, 2009 5:03 PM PST up reply actions
gotta give Gio 15 starts
to see were he’s really at. Hopefully that will coincide with Outman coming back (and coming back strong). But its good to know we have 8 pretty decent SP options:
Duke-Anderson-Braden
then 2 of:
Mazzaro-Cahill-Eveland-Mortensen-Outman
we looking goooooood :)
Ugh Mortensen
How about 7 decent SP? Mortensen didn’t seem to have it even marginally together last year, albeit like you said, sample size
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 12:25 PM PST up reply actions
Ya I hate Mortensen.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2009 12:40 PM PST up reply actions
2 major question marks imo
I think you’d be more realistic putting Cahill in the 4th and relegating the others to 5th/spot/middle relief duty
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
Why?
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Dec 24, 2009 3:31 PM PST up reply actions
Because that's more probable
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:42 PM PST up reply actions
Hmmmm,
I guess when I said “I’d go with…” I assumed that meant that I was stating my opinion on what should be done, not my guess on what the A’s will do.
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Dec 24, 2009 6:00 PM PST up reply actions
Yes, but BleedGreen said "more realistic", not better in his/her opinion
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 7:07 PM PST up reply actions
His
what do I look like a chick or something?
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
This is if Mazzaro's healthy
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:42 PM PST up reply actions
I agree
Seeing Mazzaro pitch in person can be amazing. His deceptive delivery can quite litterally baffle a hitter out of the box. I concur with King Richard he has a lot of possibility for next year.
Long term, I'm pretty high on Mazzaro.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
My main grievance
is the audacity of his relatives to make NYY Jersey’s with his name on the back?!?!?! I hope Vucinich hems his jersey’s incorrectly as punishment.
I wasn't aware of that.
Yeah, that is pretty audacious.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
{supresses cough}
….this is good Mazzaro…
{exaggerated exhale}
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:19 PM PST up reply actions
cool, how much per ounce?
In related news, I saw Avatar in 3D today. During some of the movie I thought I was tripping out.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 24, 2009 7:23 PM PST up reply actions
was it good?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 11:10 PM PST up reply actions
worth a matinee but not full price
It’s visually stunning, that’s for sure. To me, there were some things left unexplained in the story. But it’s a good ride, and 3D is pretty cool
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 24, 2009 11:48 PM PST up reply actions
that's about what I figured.
I don’t think I’m gonna see it.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 12:19 AM PST up reply actions
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
The look on his face is like "Where. The Hell. Is. SECURITY!!!"
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
this looks like a freezeframe of an SNL parody
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 12:26 PM PST up reply actions
There's something seriously wrong with those two.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 2:27 PM PST up reply actions
Not pictured:
Paint tubes and massive instruments made out of PVC pipe.
Your day breaks, your mind aches.
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
when she no longer needs you.
you know, I just looked at that picture
And now realized that the guy has a blue undershirt and not blue paint on his arms.
Been smoking too much of that Mazarro, I think
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 4:13 PM PST up reply actions
Green > Blue
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
well excuuuse me
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
did you just blue yourself?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 6:19 PM PST up reply actions
I must be getting old. It took me almost a minute to get that...
…then I spent the next minute laughing.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
Fantastic
Braden, Anderson, Duke, and pick two of Gio/Cahill/Mazarro/Outman when he’s healthy. A little competition is good for the soul.
Sports is the only industry
That you can barely do anything in the previous yr and still get a raise. Nice life of an athlete.
I would include bank CEOs in that, but yeah. LOL!
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
they did a LOT the past couple years
The A's. The SWINGING A's. That's right, the SWINGING A's.
by eastcoasta'sfan on Dec 26, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions
Troll?
I haven’t been on here so much lately but the negativity is just a tad over the top. Where’s the context bro?
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 24, 2009 1:07 PM PST up reply actions
He did briefly relent up there.
Just enough to avoid the CGV.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Hey Magic Mike
Check out community guidelines rule number 4. I’d say your stuff is mostly falling in that realm and it’s annoying.
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 24, 2009 1:12 PM PST up reply actions
Is my passion and support for this team considered negativity?
Really? I wouldnt bother wasting my time posting, if i didnt care. I’m just giving my opinion on what I hope and wish they do. Sorry but these last 3 seasons arent all rainbows and sunshine for most A’s fans. I hope to not see the same patterns ofmoves repeated. Especially when they spend more $$ on players w/ injury issues. Which has been their biggest downfall in recent yrs.
Nah, there's just so many of us around here these days,
some personalities are bound to not get along.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:42 PM PST up reply actions
there are a lot of nice meaty souls to eat.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 10:03 PM PST up reply actions
I like you more and more...
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:34 PM PST up reply actions
The whole point of souls is that they aren't meaty.
That’s also why they don’t exist, by the way.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
well, in fat people, anyhow.
and red heads.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 12:20 AM PST up reply actions
They're mutants, you know.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Well I for one would love to see some balance in your posting
try playing devils advocate once in a while
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 24, 2009 3:32 PM PST up reply actions
I won't play Devil's advocate, but I can give you some fatherly Satanist advice...
If someone disrespects you in your own home, destroy them.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 9:04 AM PST up reply actions
with magic. And poison.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 2:27 PM PST up reply actions
"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagine such events unfolding!" Bill King
by Buck Turgidson on Dec 25, 2009 8:58 PM PST up reply actions
Duke didn't get a raise
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:42 PM PST up reply actions
No one can say either way until the end of the season...
…and they find out whether all the incentives were met or not.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
It's also one of the few industries
in which all the businesses in that industry area allowed to act as a legal monopoly, and conspire out in the open to force you to work for only one of those businesses for a number of years — possibly your entire career. And if you and that one business don’t agree on a salary level, your option are 1) work for what they offer you; or 2) don’t work in the industry at all.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Half truth.
The other half is the part about guaranteed minimum salaries that are beginning to approach a half million dollars, and has a hugely effective union behind them for even the pettiest issues, etc. Sorry, it’s not all one-sided.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
So, do the A's have any money left to spend?
It’s been said that they had some “financial flexibility” going into the offseason, but they’ve spent ~$10MM in the last couple days (plus the Aaron Miles contract). Is there anything left?
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
Maybe
A lot depends on what the ceiling is. For example, the A’s started the 2009 season with a $63 million payroll. Myself and other who really have too much time on our hands have speculated that the A’s would slash that figure to about $50 million for 2010. So assuming that $50 million ceiling the A’s probably have about $3 million in cash that wasn’t earlier earmarked for something else. Factor in the $4 million that everyone, myself included, had figured was going to Cust and that bumps the kitty to about $7 million.
I personally think that Hairston’s time in Oakland is over, so you could toss the ~ $3 million he was going to get via arbitration into the mix as well.
Meaning, assuming a $50 million payroll the A’s could have up to $10 million to play with. This assumes that Hairston gets traded in the next few weeks, even if its for scrap. Now if beane has more than $50 million total to play with…
The monster at the end of this blog.
I wouldn't trade Hairston for scrap. Crisp and Sweeney are hardly locks to play 140 games
They still need a DH.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:43 PM PST up reply actions
But...
would you trade Hairston for scrap so you could insure that you’d have the cash needed to sign Beltre to a deal?
The monster at the end of this blog.
"Insure"? No. To get the deal done, yes.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 4:51 PM PST up reply actions
Keep Hairston as a LHP masher
Let Crisp-Sweeney-Raj play every day.
Sign Cust to DH or even split time with Hairston at DH for $2MM.
Our team rules?
The use of Hairston and masher in the same sentence is highly amusing
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 12:27 PM PST up reply actions
Keep Hairston as a potato masher.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2009 12:41 PM PST up reply actions
Endorsement deals for Duke?
Xanax or Prozac might be appropriate. Come on, George Breet did Prep H commercials after his famous bout with hemroids.
that's an interesting and provocative idea.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 9:05 AM PST up reply actions
"If depression has thrown your wife a curve,
cut ‘er some slack and reclaim pinpoint control of your mood. Hi, I’m Justin Duchscherer. You may know me from seeing highlights of me throwing pitches to Derek Jeter…"
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Slusser says the base salary is $2MM
Duke gets $5.5 by reaching 30 starts and 200 innings.
What a great deal for the A’s. If Duke can’t perform, it costs them relatively little. If he reaches 30/200, then $5.5 is probably going to be a huge bargain anyway.
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
Well thats better
Make him earn those incentives. I guess a slight repayment of the waste of almost $4mill on duke last yr. Also mentioned that Gio could be an option out of the bullpen. I remember slusser mentioning last yr that Gio’s stuff could end up a shut out reliever, we’ll see
by MagicMike23 on Dec 24, 2009 12:54 PM PST up reply actions
was hoping you could come around on this one
Brah-vo.
I'll have a sandwich and a draft(sic). - Bill King (RIP)
$2MM base salary is what I hoped for
It’s official now, this is a great deal. Let’s hope Duke can work his magic again.
That's simply fantastic.
Nice work, Billy.
Your day breaks, your mind aches.
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
when she no longer needs you.
And nice work, Duke
Stay with family, stay under the radar a little, and mentor a fantastic young rotation.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I approve.
$2M in base is reasonable. I can’t work up any outrage over that.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
Honestly
we all want this deal to reach its full incentives up to 5+ million right? Wouldn’t this mean that Duke pitched like an ace in 2010? I like this move along with the acquisition of Taylor. Crisp’s signing still puzzles me though. Unless we trade Davis, Sweeney or Hairston it seems we added another average player to an average outfield. Is it possible that Hairston become a DH?
Now to the rotation
Duke
Braden
Anderson
Cahill
Mazzaro
Gonzalez
Outman (injured)
If we can get a run producer i see no reason why the A’s cannot win 85+ games next season. Anderson appears ready to take that next step to become a top of the rotation type of guy, when healthy Duke has already shown he is that. With Braden, Gonzalez, Cahill and Mazzaro battling for the final 3 spots it looks like we have a damn good rotation in 2010 not to mention probably one of the best bullpens and benches in the entire league
"Cannot play with them. Cannot win with them. Cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win!!!"
DH is a good place for him
Maybe he just had an off half season in Oakland, but he looked like a butcher out there, even in left. Yes, I know he graded out better than that in prior seasons. Color me unimpressed.
Actually, I just looked up the numbers. He’s an entirely unremarkable outfielder, period, and as awful as I thought last year. His OPS+ was nearly identical to Cust’s last year, and he’s less of a distaster if he has to play some games in the field, so they could do a lot worse.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I woul;d type something effusively ecstatic that would suit this most excellent move
but my keyboard is awfully, awfully sticky right now…. welcome back Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke we love you man!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
strange, I just wrote "Ew." then erased it.
GET OUT OF MY HEAD!
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:44 PM PST up reply actions
most.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 1:46 PM PST up reply actions
Good news!
Glad to hear Justin will be with the A’s for the 2010 season.
by A's Fan in Virginia on Dec 24, 2009 1:21 PM PST reply actions
So how does this influence other back rotation starters?
Potential rotation:
duke
braden
anderson
cahill?
mazzaro,gio, etc
outman midseason?
in AAA:
Eveland, Simmons, Godfrey, Mortensen, Banwart
Duke, Braden, and Anderson are the only locks
I honestly give the 4th spot to Gio, since he was the best pitcher out of the Cahill/Mazzaro/Gio tandem.
Cahill and Mazzaro should almost definitely start in AAA, with Mortensen or Simmons being 5th starter.
I’d rather keep the stud prospects in AAA for both development and service time reasons.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
I never want to see Mortensen or Simmons starting games for the A's
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 3:45 PM PST up reply actions
And now for something completely different:
Eric Chavez got Transformers underwear for Christmas.
“Growing up, our family didn’t have tons of money and, as kids, we used to laugh about always getting socks and underwear as gifts,” Chavez said. “And that’s become an ongoing joke among us.”
When the subject came up anew, that’s when Chavez’s mom, Ruby, handed over her present to him: Transformer socks and underwear.
“The whole deal,” Chavez said, chortling. “Yeah, they had them in my size. It was funny. The kids also got them and they were trying to decide which was theirs and which was mine.”
Your day breaks, your mind aches.
You find that all her words of kindness linger on
when she no longer needs you.
That explains a lot
Durazo is Chavez’s mom, apparently
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
by Player To Be Named Later on Dec 24, 2009 3:36 PM PST up reply actions
QOTM
"Did you know you can comment on Athletics Nation from your phone or PDA? SB Nation has launched mobile commenting. Check it out next time you’re at the game or bar and have something to say."
by stranahanahan on Dec 24, 2009 6:01 PM PST up reply actions
Too Mexican
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 7:08 PM PST up reply actions
In the office, there's a guy named Melvin.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
Whoo! Merry Christmas to us!
Now I need to find my Duchscherer bobblehead so we can celebrate. I heart Duke.
I can't believe no one has posted that Jennifer-er-er-er picture yet.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
you read the wrong blog
With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery
Ah, there's another fanpost then?
Amazing what you miss when you’re away for more than 18 hours.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
you need to reread Mike A's post.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 2:27 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, I was thinking he was using "blog"
as synonymous with “fanpost” as I sometimes see.
You’re referring to Freak Rout perhaps?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
could be...
{munches on carrot}
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 7:15 PM PST up reply actions
What's up, doc?
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 10:05 PM PST up reply actions
what a maroon!
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:35 PM PST up reply actions
What a macaroon!
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
yummy.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:53 PM PST up reply actions
But there is no
Duke bobblehead holding a letter in tribute?
"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch
Bring Back The Bash!!!
that was created long before there was a duke bobblehead...
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
ahhh, Xmas eve, day off with Ducshserererer reading
on AN with the sun (behind the mtn now) streams thru the windows and i can look down on the calm lake through the trees. A white Xmas too as we have just an inch or two of snow from the other day. And I just finished making my winter “screw shoes”, so I will be out the door shortly to safely walk-jog on the icy road.
And well over the Cal debacle last night. Here’s A’s and bears 2010 ’ winning-er-er times.
alaska A residing in northern Idaho.
I now retract my earlier prediction that
Dallas Braden pitches on opening day. If Duke is in the rotation, I think they give it to Duke.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
happy festivus
Bobby Crosby will now climb the pole of shame to start the holiday.
Whip Bobby Crosby... only ten dollars!
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 10:06 PM PST up reply actions
Anyone have $100.00?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Gio to the pen/6th starter....
Crap, The A’s might go with 6 SPs in May to keep the young guys IPs down if no injury and no one gets crushed (Gio!)
If Curt Young starts dressing like Boss Hawg, you may be on to something.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 10:07 PM PST up reply actions
It's interesting to see how many of you forget Eveland is out of options
he will be in the starting 5 come April, most likely, which means 2 of Cahill/Mazarro/Gio will probably start in AAA.
Or the long man out of the bullpen
ala Edgar Gonzalez.
That seems more likely, especially since he was out of options as well last year and had to be DFAd.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
god, when are we gonna release him?
he’s the second coming of mark redmond.
"They (The 1989 A's) are the best team I ever saw"- Mike Krukow
No. Redman had multiple decent seasons.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Eveland sucks...But you could be right
because most teams don’t need a 5th starter until May….Eveland would serve as a lump of coal to be dumped into the fire come April
A's play 14 straight without a day off to start the season. They'll need a 5th starter right away.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 5:14 PM PST up reply actions
Last year Dana Eveland appeared in 13 games.
The A’s won 7 of those games. It’s simply fallacious to assume that any start by any professional baseball pitcher would result in an automatic loss.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Dec 25, 2009 2:40 AM PST up reply actions
And, of his 9 starts, the A's won 5
But then of course, Sidney Ponson probably has put up similar numbers
and of course opposing bullpens imploding and opposing SP getting torched, but yeah.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
ugh I hope not
I’d rather they just release him and eat the money. Cahill would be a better option for 5th.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 24, 2009 5:09 PM PST up reply actions
This is the most likely scenario. I'm hoping they can throw him in to a deal.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2009 5:15 PM PST up reply actions
I'm hoping they can throw him to the wolves.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 24, 2009 10:07 PM PST up reply actions
he's young.
we should see if he settles down and stops being such a section eight.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 10:35 PM PST up reply actions
If Klinger couldn't get a section 8,
why the hell does Eveland deserve one? Eveland hasn’t even put on a dress and started trying yet!
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 9:06 AM PST up reply actions
Very happy to have Duke back!
A top three with Duke, Braden, and Anderson should be rather formidable. Hopefully Outman can come back healthy mid-year and leave us with one of the deeper young rotations in the majors. Even so, any combination of Cahill, Gio, and Mazzaro have a chance to be a pretty darned good back of the rotation if they start getting over their learning curve!
Its a happy festivus indeed!
Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!
It's past midnight here
So merry Christmas everyone, thanks for the present!
Have a glove you could spare for a good cause? If so please let me know
My reaction
"HARK! BUT LOOK OVER HERE, IT'S A COST CONTROLLED COCO CRISP! DOES MY USE OF ALLITERATION HYPNOTIZE YOU?" (PL78)
by Player To Be Named Later on Dec 24, 2009 4:38 PM PST reply actions
or this
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
rejected.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 9:41 PM PST up reply actions
duke for $2 m
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
LOL! Always a classic.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
i cannot believe he didn't get more than 2 mil guaranteed from somebody else...
and if he did, why did he stay? I thought he wanted out…
"They (The 1989 A's) are the best team I ever saw"- Mike Krukow
I suspect many of the other teams weren't willing
to guarantee he’d be a starter and not a reliever. He has stated in interviews that he finds it very stressful to be a reliever because he never knows when he’ll be called upon and that causes him anxiety, whereas as a starter he generally knows when it’s his day and can prepare accordingly. So I imagine that was a pretty important factor for him, and not just an idle preference.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
very true
I read the yankees were interested in signing him, but I’m guessing the guarantee of starting prob got in the way. So they traded for Javier Vasquez instead. Good for us.
by sf drift king on Dec 24, 2009 10:50 PM PST up reply actions
That actually makes sense. From him, at least.
And knowing a bit more about his personality, etc. Most pitchers prefer starting out of machismo, it seems. Eckersley was like that until he was shown what closing could do for him and how it truly fit his personality.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Yeah, I have no other words.
Adopted Giant: Clayton Tanner
by walkoff baltimore chop on Dec 24, 2009 9:33 PM PST reply actions
I'm listening to old Weird Al right now.
I’m back to being about 13 or so….
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
13 for me = Weird Al and Dr. Demento
m*****f***ing c***s***ing peanut butter and jelly!! f*** f*** f***!!!
It's 11PM on the night of the 25th here in Japan
..and, ditto to you
m*****f***ing c***s***ing peanut butter and jelly!! f*** f*** f***!!!
13 for me= Slayer and NWA
although in the long run, my songwriting is way more influenced by Weird Al than by metal or gangsta rap.
Have I shared my rap about Father Abraham accidentally running over the Smurf Village with a lawnmower?
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 9:09 AM PST up reply actions
13 for me
Nirvana, Weezer and Bone Thugs & Harmony
by cityplANner on Dec 25, 2009 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
13 for me =
Richard Wagner and Hermann Hesse
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
13
Snoop and Nirvana. “Gin and Juice” was a particularly popular song, as I recall
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 12:32 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, NWA was awesome
Big Daddy Kane, 2 Live Crew, Public Enemy
m*****f***ing c***s***ing peanut butter and jelly!! f*** f*** f***!!!
13 for me = Stones and really hot Cher
Help! I got that lovin feelin, but I can’t get no satisfaction.
by redtopcowboy on Dec 25, 2009 10:32 AM PST up reply actions
Glad to see Duke back
My Duke favorite moment was seeing him nearly no-hit Boston at the Coliseum. That was an awesome game! Always enjoy sticking it to the Bosux.
I love the incentive laden deal, but would have liked Beane to add an option for 2011.
Bring on beltre!!
Report: A’s talking with 3B Adrian Beltre
December 24, 2009
THE A’S PAGE
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Comcast SportsNet MLB Insider Mychael Urban is reporting that the Oakland A’s have expressed interest in third-base free agent Adrian Beltre.
Beltre recently turned down arbitration from the Mariners in hopes of procuring a multi-year deal elsewhere.
Apparently, Billy Beane is not scared by super-agent Scott Boras, who represents Beltre, and negotiations are moving forward. Beltre is reportedly looking for $10M-$15M per season.
I don't think I want Beltre.
That sounds like a lot of years and a lot of money for him.
Do we want him?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 24, 2009 11:09 PM PST up reply actions
I think we do.
Beltre is fun. Even if he does suck, worst case he’s still Jack Hannahan, and Hannahan was fun.
Even Paul wants Beltre, and you know what a poop he usually is about spending money on guys. He’ll say it depends on the price, of course, but still.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
we should of kept Hannahan.
His name was fun to yell.
HANNAHAN!
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 12:21 AM PST up reply actions
People seems to think that Defense = Offense
The majority of Beltre’s value is with the glove, no? I can’t wait for PT and others to come up with what WAR/VORP (or whatever) says the A’s record will be next season with an OF of Crisp-Davis-Sweeney. Along with Beltre, Ellis and Barton @ 3B-2B-1B. It will probably say that the A’s are a 90+ win season. We all know that’s not true, don’t we? No thanks on Beltre. Put Jake Fox over at 3B.
by Colorado Fan on Dec 25, 2009 8:26 AM PST up reply actions
The record will also depend on what the pitching does, too, will it not?
by LowcountryJoe on Dec 25, 2009 9:19 AM PST up reply actions
Just for the record
Does defense outway offense, or vice versa?
In the 2009 American League, all three division winners scored the most runs in their division.
None of these 2009 AL division winners had allowed the lowest number of runs in their division.
Want to win the division? Score the most runs.
by redtopcowboy on Dec 25, 2009 10:48 AM PST up reply actions
You're flat out wrong...
a much stronger relationship is the difference between runs scored and runs given up. The bigger the difference (whether you score a lot or score a little), the better the record.
Sorry… those are facts.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
In 2009
ALL division winners had the HIGHEST run differential within their division. And only the NL wild card didn’t have the highest (instead second highest) differential then all the rest of the non-division winners.
If (in ugly extreme cases) the A’s were to only score 200 runs in a season but only allow 0. Somehow, someway… I think they might actually win a 162 games.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
You'd think. But any actual A's fan knows
they would find some odd way to finish only 157-5.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
You forget, Crosby is no longer an A
But with Geren at the helm, 160-2 is certainly possible.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
Yes
The majority of Beltre’s value is with the glove, no?
Hence the Hannahan comparison.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Hannahan never hit 48 HRs in a season though
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 26, 2009 1:36 AM PST up reply actions
hannahan probably never used roids either
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
if he did, i hope he demanded a refund
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
chavez is gone after 2010
beltre replaces his salary
by MagicMike23 on Dec 24, 2009 11:51 PM PST up reply actions
$10 mil a year for four years, though?
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 25, 2009 12:21 AM PST up reply actions
I don't think he'll get 4/40.
Not from the A’s at least.
People ’round here were saying something like 3/25.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
He won't get 4/40 unless the Red Sox step in
I can’t see a team like the Twins offering that kind of money, and Beltre at a reduced cost would be too intelligent for Sabean to consider it.
Of course, if the Mariners try to resign him and move Lopez to 1B (which would make some sense, especially if they don’t think Mike Carp is ready —-Of course, they could then also get Branyan and leave Lopez at 2B).
Right now, it would be smarter for the Red Sox to upgrade at 1B or DH, with more options on the market, and shift Youkilis to 3B, especially now that they are effectively stuck with Lowell. Or go after Matt Holliday and have too many outfielders.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
I thought they had Figgins at 3B.
So they’d be moving Figgins to 2B in this scenario? Or were you suggesting Beltre plays 2B?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Figgins to 2B
The two glaring weaknesses on the Ms roster are the Hannahan/Carp mess at 1B and Griffey at DH. Lopez to 1B eliminates one. If Carp is ready he can DH.
Considering they just gave up prospects for Cliff Lee (regardless of how big a steal that was) and their first rounder for Figgins, they’re definitely looking to contend.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Griffey isn't the DH, he's the DH's chaperone.
I think the M’s will add a 1B and an outfielder, not a 3B and a DH.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
4 years at that price, no.
Fewer years, absolutely. I think he could be lured in by like 2/25. Which I’d do all day.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
I'm so anti-Beltre
I wouldn’t do more than 2/16 for him, which in no way would he take.
Now, if he were to find some undetectable steroids and hit 40 dingers again, I’d be down. but he won’t, so screw him!
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 9:11 AM PST up reply actions
I'm with you.
The $12.5 million dollar albatross needs to be shed first. This gives the organization time to see what they can develop from Fox, the other IFs, and their SPs. If they have enough starters that emerge, they can possibly use them to acquire a 3B. This year does not seem like the year to blow money on Beltre.
by LowcountryJoe on Dec 25, 2009 9:15 AM PST up reply actions
Bingo, doctor.
When I read the comments of certain folks who want to splash the cash and lock up Beltre and Chapman, I get scared a little, scared of locking up a huge sum of cash in two big question marks.
Right now, the A’s should only splash cash on sure things, or damn-near-sure things… the baseball equivalent of pocket aces, kings, or ace-king suited. We’re not the big stack here, and if the club is going to make a big-stack move, it needs to be sure of superior position first, with a good read on the agent and the competing clubs.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 10:10 AM PST up reply actions
There are no sure things.
The Yankees have been masters at buying so-called “sure things” only to have them turn out as not so sure, then go get more because they can. Besides, if there really were such a “sure thing” that actually might be, then teams like the Yankees and Red Sox would bid them up out of our price range, anyway.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
Beltre's not really a question mark for his defense
But it’s his offense that’s a dying quail. We’ve already spent some dough on Crisp for his defense, but we can’t load up our roster with guys like that and expect to win. The defense behind the pitchers would be solid, but they’d then feel the pressure to hold the opposition to 4 runs a night because that’s all we might score.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 12:38 PM PST up reply actions
But in poker,
You have to take risks being the short(er) stack if you want to win. If going all in on a pair of 7s nets you a big pot, you are in a better position to compete with the leaders. If the gamble doesn’t work, you’re the 2009 A’s.
Then again, I was never good at poker.
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 26, 2009 1:50 AM PST up reply actions
Um
What?
When you’re the short stack you should be much more willing to go all in on questionable hands.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
What the A's shouldn't do is
Buy a bunch of players to try to intimidate the Angels, Mariners, and Rangers to fold and not play in 2010.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
If that's really what he costs, no fucking way.
No more than three years, and no more than $9MM.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I'd like to see more incentive-filled contracts
With large incentives for meeting various goals; but measurable goals where managers and ownership wouldn’t have perverse incentives to keep costs down.
I am a fan of the incentive structure,
but I know that players only accept it when they have something to prove.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 10:11 AM PST up reply actions
Yep on both counts.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brusher her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
just woke up from a long night's sleep
and dreamed that we played the Pirates and Crosby hit it over the wall vs. Duke to win the game, but Coco Crisp went over the CF wall and robbed it to preserve a CG shutout for Justin in the interleague play of my unconscious. Not making this up.
Needless to say this move takes my 2010 Anticipation Meter from “Lethargy” to “Interested” in one signing… if out team ERA was third in MLB last year with all rookies and several injuries to pitchers, what could it be next season? If I am this team I set a goal of #1 in team ERA for 2010, I think that’s within reach if (big if) things fall into place and no one’s arm falls off. Especially if we get the return of Josh Outman mid-season to spell the forces at the halfway mark, could be delicious.
I repeat my earlier, ongoing assertion that with a stick or two that wasn’t made of margarine we could challenge for what is still, despite the (significant) improvement of the M’s, decidedly not the AL East in terms of winnabiltiy or wildcardness.
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
f**k runs!
Just win 95 games 1-0 and screw the other 67 times we get shut out.
"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 25, 2009 9:13 AM PST up reply actions
Happy Festivus to us!
Just don’t ask Duke to compete in the Feats of Strength. He would surely break something, and we don’t want that. And no Airing of the Grievances in earshot of Duke, either, because I don’t want him getting depressed again.
@worldblee on Twitter.
If we did sign Beltre....to a cheaper contract
This team could have a shot a winning…..
If Chavy can return to a shade of of himself with the bat (steriods or not) and move him to DH/1B vs right handed pitchers…
We would have great pitching, great def….and a middle of the order with some(please!) hope
I can't see your scenario playing out.
Chavez and Beltre aren’t not enough to make a formidable middle-of-the-order duo. Beltre was horrible with the bat last year.
If Chavez were healthy (and that’s asking a lot) his production wouldn’t even equal what Cust’s was with the bat last year.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
So if they signed Beltre to an expensive contract they have no shot at winning?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2009 12:45 PM PST up reply actions
It's all Bettererererererer now
The first half may actually be non-terrible.
The second half with Out-man, Taylor, and Carter added will be even awesomererererer.
duuuuke, wooooo!
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
Dude, you can't spare one keystroke?
I know you’re not ignorant. You know damn well this makes your animations uncollapsible.
Would it have been that much harder to make “duuuuke, wooooo!” the subject line?
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
For what it's worth
Beltre’s 208 PAs at Coliseum have produced this line:
.240/.293/.365.
I think he will only come here if all other options are exhausted. Honestly, A’s can’t offer him much – they are not meeting Boras’s insane original requests of $50MM multiyear deal (well, I certainly do hope so). They are very unlikely to compete next year. They play in the worst facility in entire Major League Baseball. It also happens to be a facility where he hasn’t hit a lick in his career.
Beltre would make our team more legitimate, that’s for sure. He’s a historically good fielder at third and his ability to hit 20-25 homers per year makes him a middle-of-the-order hitter on 2010 A’s. He would be a solid signing as long as the contract is reasonable. 2/16, maybe a team option for third year or something like that. He’s good but not someone you should go all out for, IMO.
So you're OK with Fox and Miles at 3B?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2009 12:46 PM PST up reply actions
and McPherson and Chavez
between that four-headed monster, I can’t see us acquiring another guy. Granted, all of them have question marks, but the A’s have known Beltre was going to be available for awhile. If they wanted to acquire him, they would have not made any 3B moves yet and waited for his value to go down, then go after him. The fact that we have acquired/signed these other guys early in the offseason suggests to me we’re not taking a ticket on Beltre.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 12:49 PM PST up reply actions
None of these guys really prevent them from acquiring Beltre
It’s the money. They can all fit nicely – Beltre plays third, Fox is competing for DH job, Miles is on the bench, McPherson is in Sacramento, Chavez is on DL.
well, yes, I don't want the contract commitment as you mentioned below
But, in the however unlikely event that Chavez and McPherson are both healthy and productive, we have a logjam. That, and this also precludes the possibility of re-signing Cust, someone whom I think we shouldn’t just let go for nothing.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 1:08 PM PST up reply actions
Look, if our contention window was 2010
I would say “To hell with it all, give Beltre 5/50 and worry about consequences later. Let’s field the best team possible this year”. But since our 2010 chances are pretty slim, probably somewhat better in 2011 and should be great in 2012-2014, I can’t really support throwing large amounts of money at our temporary weakness at risk of hanging another albatross around our necks when we have only one year of Chavez disaster to live through.
So yeah, if there’s nothing in trade market and Beltre’s price is not down, A’s should just use the sorry bunch they have.
I agree that the A's shouldn't throw massive amounts at Beltre
I just don’t see Beltre getting those massive massive amounts
I only see the Twins as being the only legit suitor, and between the A’s and Twins, neither team would generally go above total contract value of around 20MM for him.
At that type of price, I’m all for Beltre. 30-40MM would be questionable for the A’s though
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
In your scenario Beltre is still there in 2011-2014
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2009 7:41 PM PST up reply actions
Have you SEEN the 3B market for 2011?
A year out from that point, and already the best remaining 3B is Brandon Inge— a poor man’s Beltre.
He’s the last even semi-good FA option for two years.
Also, park effects don’t work like that, especially in symmetrical parks.
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
Beltre... No Thx.
Rather go with the young guys.
"Carter's 25-game hitting streak isn't any normal streak. He's 46 for 97 (.474 average) during the run, adding 16 walks and compiling 81 total bases in the process. I'm out of superlatives for what he's doing." - Kevin Goldstein
so aaron miles and chavez?
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
Chavez...
And if he cant do it. Mcpherson till Cardenas is ready.
"Carter's 25-game hitting streak isn't any normal streak. He's 46 for 97 (.474 average) during the run, adding 16 walks and compiling 81 total bases in the process. I'm out of superlatives for what he's doing." - Kevin Goldstein
And Prob a little bit of Fox.
"Carter's 25-game hitting streak isn't any normal streak. He's 46 for 97 (.474 average) during the run, adding 16 walks and compiling 81 total bases in the process. I'm out of superlatives for what he's doing." - Kevin Goldstein
Ed Crosby?
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Dec 25, 2009 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
25 man rosterbation (assuming they sign cust or another DH)
there is no room for aaron miles on this team, right? i’m a bit worried that without miles there is no backup SS on the roster… this is now my biggest concern after DH, i really don’t want to see miles in an a’s uniform.
C Suzuki
1b Barton
2b Ellis
SS Pennington
3B Fox
DH Cust / Delgado type
LF Crisp
CF Davis
RF Sweeney
Hairston
Patterson
McPherson (Fox if Beltre is starting 3B)
Powell
SP Anderson
SP Braden
SP Duchscherer
SP Gonzalez
SP Eveland (one last chance)
RP Bailey
RP Ziegler
RP Devine
RP Wuertz
RP Breslow
RP Blevins
RP Kilby
AAA: Buck, Cunningham, Petit
AAA: Cahill, Mazzaro, Mortensen
DL: Outman, Chavez
go away: Miles
?: Meloan
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
Aw, c'mon. You coulda given Chavy ONE DAY before putting him on the DL
Opening Day, two diving stops and a sweet barehand pickup and throw, hits for the cycle, the last hit being a triple in which he dives headfirst into 3B, dies, and is immediately buried under 3B.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
His career is already buried under 3B.
Let it stay there.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
I think the HR off lincecum last pre-season is as close as he's going to get to that.
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson
Petit is at least as good/bad as Miles
I’m willing to keep him as the backup
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 4:15 PM PST up reply actions
I agree with a lot of this
Patterson is pretty much the only thing I disagree with. Leave Miles or Petit as a backup. Maybe find a solid defender (maybe OCab if he gets truly desperate).
My top trade target is finding a SS of the future. Jed Lowrie mayhaps? Then if only the A’s could sign Beltre, Chapman, and Cust and I’d call it offseason.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
I like the Beltre, Chapman and Cust part.
Lowrie isn’t the healthiest building block for SS though.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2009 7:43 PM PST up reply actions
Well my first target would have been Hardy
And I’m assuming a guy like Yunel isn’t available. I’d take Wood, SRod, even Brignac. Anything but lucky MLB debut Pennington.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
The Rays make a lot of sense
They’ve got Bartlett and Zobrist, who are awesome,at SS and 2B at the MLB level. They’ve got 2B and SS held down in Tampa, and Aybar’s backs up 2B with Zobrist backing up SS if Bartlett needs a day off.
Then you’ve got SRod and Brignac, but Tim Beckham is on the way.
Yeah, the A’s and Rays would really match up with the Rays. They have pitching. They need catching for the long term, and a potential Pena replacement at 1B after 2010, especially if they choose to keep Crawford.
Naturally, when there are so few SS prospects in MLB, the price on them is going to be jacked up. Supply/demand laws.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
Someone wrote an excessively long fanpost on just this topic a while back
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
Tim Beckham kinda isn't that awesome.
"Since other people actually read these threads, though, probably best that your particular brand of wrongness not go completely unchallenged." - PT
There are differing opinions on me. According to Iglew "DFA is PT with a sense of humor. PT is DFA with introspective self-doubt. I like them both" but according to sirbed Im "The Stats Killer"
by designatedforassignment on Dec 26, 2009 11:38 PM PST up reply actions
I think Patterson on the bench makes sense.
As I understand it, he’s out of options, so he can’t move up and down without being put on waivers. (Right?)
He’s a good fit for the bench: he plays several positions, he’s a decent pinch-runner, and we don’t really care about his playing time like some of the hotter prospects.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
I just can't see Patterson reaching Miles 2008 upside
Not that the bench is going to be the 2010 A’s biggest problem. I’m fine with losing Patterson. Maybe try for a trade for a Justin Souza type prospect or system filler.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
I can't see Miles reaching Miles 2008 upside.
They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick
Patterson 2009 >>>>>>>>>>>> Miles 2009
Not even close.
Miles was “one of the worst players in baseball” bad.
Patterson was just “replacement level” bad.
I prefer Petit on the bench to both though since he can actually back up shortstop and the other two can’t.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
All I want for the rest of this offseason is
Adrian Beltre on a 3 year deal and one of the following DH sluggers be it Delgado, Thome, Cust, Vlad or Sheffield on a 1 year low dollar deal.
Opening day:
1B: Barton
2B: Ellis
SS: Pennington
3B: Beltre
C: Suzuki
LF: Crisp
CF: Davis
RF: Sweeney
DH: one from that group above.
Bench: Fox, Hairston, Patterson, Powell
Dream “if everything falls into place” August 1 lineup:
1B: C. Carter
2B: A. Cardenas
SS: C. Pennington or upgrade from trades of players listed above not listed here
3B: A. Beltre
C: K. Suzuki
LF: M. Taylor
CF: R. Davis or C. Crisp. Possibly Brown or Desme if they show theyre ready.
RF: R. Sweeney
DH: same as above
I can definitely see Mark Ellis in his contract year getting traded, same with Barton if Carter mashes and needs a place to play. You figure at least one of Hairston, Crisp, Sweeney or Davis are goners too, as Taylor might just be ready to mash big league pitching.
Opening day 2011
1B: C Carter
2B: A Cardenas
SS: J Rollins or J Reyes (via a famed “fuckin-A” trade.)
3B: A Beltre
C: K Suzuki
LF: M Taylor
CF: G Desme
RF: R Sweeney
DH: Derek Lee (sign as a FA)
OH HI PLAYOFFS I DIDNT SEE YOU FOR A WHILE HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?
no way Phillies trade Rollins
They just picked up his 2011 option and he is part of their nucleus. I can see Reyes going in a deadline deal for Mazarro/Cahill if the Mets suck again.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Dec 25, 2009 4:20 PM PST up reply actions
I see no way the Mets trade Reyes for Mazzaro and/or Cahill...or really anyone else.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2009 7:44 PM PST up reply actions
Omar Minaya: there's always a way
Although obviously I don’t see it likely at all.
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West
So in your dream, if everything falls into place
The A’s are out of playoff contention by August 1st, and have the flexibility to give Cardenas, Carter, and Taylor full time gigs?
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 26, 2009 2:08 AM PST up reply actions
Nope, in my dream scenario we're never out of contention
and all of those guys who get brought up all take the league by storm and we never skip a beat ;)
I would rather sign a DH in Vlad, Thome, Delgado , Sheff then Beltre
If we had to choose.
Vlad, Thome, Delgado/Sheff will come a whole lot cheaper then Beltre and probably have a higher ceiling then Beltre + without the risk of the long contract….Sign Vlad ( My guess is he ends up in TB- sad)
i dont see why we cant do both
There’s not enough DH jobs going around and Delgado, Thome, Cust, Vlad and Sheffield are really going to have to lowball themselves, dollar-wise if they want a full time or even part time gig. I can see all of those guys signing for around $2MM+incentives. That’s easily within our "budget"*.
*by the way, pretty sure Wolfey and the Beaneman have NOT said anywhere what the salary budget will be for next year, yet you still read about “Beltre’s demands wont work in an Oakland market”, how do you know what that market is if they havent said anything about it, and in the last season they blew it out of the water. We arent a bottom 5 salary team anymore, we are middle of the pack, and therefore can actually afford to sign big names if so inclined. Seeing as Beltre is the best 3B on the open market this year and next, we should give him at the least 3/36, and try and compete with other offers that might be better, like if 3/40 gets him, you pony up the dough, etc.
Furcal turned down 4 yr/35-40 mill from A's last offseason
So I would not be surprised if Beltre gets offered a contract in that 8-10 million range. Both 3b and SS have been equally troubled positions for awhile. So if A’s see an opportunity to upgrade it, they will likely be willing to spend, probably slightly overpay for a player. I’m not sure its the smartest move for beltre to be the highest paid player and hopefully not the centerpiece of this offense. Maybe bring in an additional 2nd tier veteran hitter also.
Why this fascination with 2nd tier vets? Don't they suck by definition?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 25, 2009 7:45 PM PST up reply actions
The idea is probably
“more affordable than a 1st tier veteran and less sucky than a 3rd tier veteran.”
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Assuming the price for 2nd tier vets in the post-Roid era continues to drop
It makes sense. Otherwise, paying old pricing doesn’t.
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
I just hate old people who are crappy at their jobs
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Dec 26, 2009 5:21 PM PST up reply actions
Then avoid Wal-Mart?
CuttheMullet, from "The Thread":
"Whenever I’m about to do something, I think "would an idiot do that?" and if they would, I do not do that thing."
And DEFINITELY
stay the fuck out of Florida. The damn state’s chock full o’ both groups, sometimes incorporating the same body.
Sock puppets have never been able to successfully attack castles. -NM
by Leopold Bloom on Dec 26, 2009 9:20 PM PST up reply actions
You're not familiar with this guy's posting style, are you
O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?
If the reports are true, that 3.5 million bonus isn't going to happen.
Five pitchers have hit 30 starts and 200 IP for the A’s in the last ten years, Hudson, Zito, Mulder, Haren, and Blanton.
Duke averaged 6.44 innings per start in 2008, when he was fighting Cliff Lee as the Cy Young leader before the injury. Averaged out over 30 starts, that would be 193 innings. He would need to start 32 games at that average to reach 200 innings.
The highest possible amount of games he can realistically start is 34, and that easily drops to 33 based on rainouts/doubleheaders. The A’s are saying he basically has to be 100% healthy and effective to reach this bonus. That would be a true festivus miracle if he is.
by Thefirstletterofthealphabet on Dec 26, 2009 1:20 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
nice catch
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05
Beltre
he wants how much? Really? No. Really?
I think the kid that used to be with the Sleggos, that McPherson character, yeah him…. I think he is more of a wild card in this whole 3B drama we see unfolding, “The Biggest Loser” comes to the hot corner. If he’s reading this or anyone that knows him is please tell him to get in shape and get ready, as if he needs to be told. If that guy can not be on the DL (realizing that that is a bigger if than even Chavez given the guy’s past) by April 15th and actually participate for longer than it takes him to sprain/break/tear something (read: ABs) then your answer might be there already.
But Beltre wants how much? Really? For what? Is he planning to go back on the HGH or something, is there some plan we don’t know about? How much? Really?
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
Roids for sure!
8-10 million per year! for a guy who hit something like 9 HRs last year – keep the cash, unless he’s around 4-5 million per year
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